What is it about this time of year that makes me want to go out and buy school supplies and a whole new wardrobe? That’s just a rhetorical question; I know what exactly is that triggers this impulse. It’s that back to school buzz.

Even though my school days are long behind me, I still get that itch. This year, it’s even worse. For the last two weeks, I’ve been talking with teachers and administrators from our local school districts as I prepare to write ‘Back to School’ stories for each of them. There is no denying the excitement in the air at each of the buildings I’ve visited, as everyone gears up for the students to return. It seems like everywhere you look there are new programs, new course offerings and a sprinkle of new staff members. The custodial and janitorial staffs have been buffing and polishing, so even the buildings look shiny and new.

(The exception being Greene, of course, where the custodians are waiting patiently for the construction debris to be cleared so they can start their buffing and polishing. Don’t worry kids, I’ve been assured that hard hats won’t be required on the first day.)

With the excitement, though, comes the bittersweet knowledge that the last few days of summer are about to slip through your fingers. Fall is just around the corner, with winter not far behind.

Luckily, there is all that back to school shopping to take your mind off it. For some, it the thrill was in having an excuse to get new clothes. For me, it was all about the school supplies. This was in the days long before teachers provided a list of necessary supplies, so we had to figure out for ourselves the number of notebooks, binders and accessories we would need. I remember when Trapper Keepers were all the rage, and celebrated when I hit the grade level where college ruled paper was acceptable. I never liked wide rule.

Then there was the careful selection of folders which needed, in my opinion, to be color coded with each notebook. Next, the “chore” of picking the perfect mix of pens, pencils, erasers and the like. Ahhh, those were the days.